Signs of the Times

[Harry L. Hewes, in the Blade, Toledo, Ohio]

The pastor of another faith told me a week ago that he sometimes went to the Christian Science church Wednesday evenings, because he enjoyed the joyousness he found there. He could not agree, he said, with all of the teachings of that church, but he could be happier in the spirit he found therein. After attending service in Second Church of Christ, Scientist, I think I might attempt an answer. It would be: The Christian Scientist is not content to believe his faith; he lives it, Sundays and Mondays and the other five days of the week—each hour. ... God to him is an ever constant friend, Father, Principle, law. God never made sin, sickness, death; yet He created all that was created. Therefore your Christian Scientist denies any power to error. ... The spirit that dwells in a Christian Science service seems sane, functioning, and unafraid. It is a spirit that demonstrates the powerlessness of evil—and I have seen demonstrations.

It mitigates not a whit against the practice of their faith that the Christian Scientist worships more often than not in an edifice of considerable beauty and quiet grace. The new Christian Science churches about the world are following a general design that is having a considerable influence on ecclesiastical architecture. Christian Scientists never dedicate a church edifice until it is paid for—in full. They have no interest in gewgaws or patisserie adornments with which some buildings are made blatant. They live their religion quietly, they build and adorn their churches gracefully, and they demonstrate their religion without undue feathers or fuss. ... Many of us prefer evidence of intellect and culture and graciousness with our religion. That may be another reason why the growth of Christian Science has been one of the most amazing phenomena of the religious life of the last half century.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
ANNOUNCEMENTS
August 29, 1925
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit